The Betty Black Blog

The eyes of the world have been turned to Haiti over the past two weeks since unfathomable damage was done by a 7.0 earthquake on 12th January.  We wonder what has made Haiti so poor. Certainly their history before 1804 was the same as the rest of the West Indies. Then we read Sir Hilary Beckles account which has been flying around the Internet. My point is, in my humble way, to tell the rest of the story; for Haiti’s current poverty only started with them being forced to pay restitution to France in order to be recognised as an independent nation and allowed back into world commerce.

The Haitian Revolution of 1791-1804, the one we read about in history books, was only the start of that country’s unstable political climate as there has hardly been twenty years free of unrest in their entire two hundred year history. How can an economy grow against such a backdrop? Below is a very shortened version, in plain list form, of Haiti’s political history.

1791-1804 Inspired by the French Revolution, the slaves and free people of colour demand more rights from France. Bloody war ensues and Haiti eventually declares Independence on 1st January 1804. Dessalines is proclaimed Emperor for life and remaining whites must choose exile or death.

1806 Dessalines is assassinated. The Country is divided in two: A Kingdom in the North, ruled by Henri I, and a Republic in the South, governed by Pétion.

1821 Boyer succeeds Pétion, reunifies the country and, after Santo Domingo declares independence from Spain, invades that country and frees their slaves. In 1824 thousands of free blacks from the USA immigrate but, because of the poverty, most return to the USA.

1825 King Charles X of France sends a fleet to recapture Haiti. Boyer agrees to a Treaty whereby France will recognise Haiti’s independence in exchange for “restitution” of F150,000,000 (reduced to F90,000,000 in 1838).

1843 Boyer is ousted. Several more coups follow and by 1892 foreigners start to get involved again.

1892 The German government “suppresses” the current president, Firmin.

1912 Haitian Syrians form a plot and the Presidential Palace is destroyed.

1914 At the start of World War I, British, United States and German Troops each enter Haiti to “protect” their citizens from each other. The USA enacts the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, giving themselves the right to intervene to stabilise the economy of Caribbean and Central American Countries.

1915-1937 The United States occupies Haiti. During this time there are several elected presidents. During their occupation, the US enforces a border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic and captures all disputed land in the border zone.

1937 Trujillo, the dictator of Dominican Republic, reinforces his borders by massacring all Haitians living on the Dominican Republic side of the border. He further establishes a form of Apartheid called Antihaitianismo against his neighbours.

1949 Lescot, elected president in 1941, tries to change the constitution to allow himself to be re-elected. A coup follows in 1950 and Magloire comes to power.

1956 Magloire is forced to resign by a general strike and there is civil unrest.

1957 Dr François Duvalier, the popular main opposer of Magliore, is elected president. Despite encouraging a black renaissance of professionals and literati, Papa Doc is best known for his creation of the “volunteer militia” the infamous Tonton Macoutes, who roamed the country killing everyone who disagreed with government policy. He proclaims himself President for Life. There is a huge “brain drain” from the country.

1971 Papa Doc is succeeded by his son, Jean-Claude, Bebé Doc.

1986 Bebé Doc is ousted and flees the country. General Namphy heads the National Governing Council.

1987 A new Constitution is overwhelmingly approved by popular support but elections are aborted when the army and Tonton Macoutes slaughter hundreds of citizens.

1990 Aristede is elected president. A year later he gets a no confidence vote from deputies and senate. He encourages his supporters to kill his critics. He is overthrown. Nerette is named Provisional President but chaos rules for the next three years.

1994 The US negotiates the departure of military leaders and reinstates Aristede to complete his term. He disbands the army and establishes a civilian police force.

1996 Rene Preval, former Prime Minister under Aristede, is elected President.

And that, in abridged form, is the history of Haiti up until 12th January 2010. In two hundred and six years of independence Haiti has suffered twenty-three coups and four invasions. Most of Haiti’s rulers have been despotic with the habit of robbing the public purse. Each generation of successful Haitians, mindful of history, have taken what money they have earned out of the country and generation after generation, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, have fled in fear of their lives. Do we wonder why Haiti is as poor and as hopeless as it now is?

Wikipedia Notes and References

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